Turquoise: The World Story of a Fascinating Gemstone »

Joe Dan Lowry is world-renowned for his knowledge about turquoise and is sought after for appraisals, interviews, and lectures. He owns turquoise mines, is a skilled lapidary, and is co-author of the book Turquoise Unearthed. He developed and is curator of the Turquoise Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he lives.

Joe P. Lowry has been the president of Zach-Low since 1972 and is the founder and president of The Turquoise Museum since 1993. He has been involved in bringing education to the turquoise and Indian jewelry industry at museums and national parks around the country. He co-authored Turquoise Unearthed with his son, Joe Dan Lowry.

Geology Lively stories, new information, scientific methods, and vivid photography combine to capture the romance and passion of one of the world's rarest and most colorful gemstones.

Preface 6

Acknowledgments 8

Introduction 10

1 Knowing the Mystical Qualities of Turquoise 19

2 Learning the International History of Turquoise 43

3 Studying the Geology and Mineralogy of Turquoise 103

4 Mining Turquoise 121

5 Cutting Turquoise-Lapidary Work 149

6 Grading and Caring for Turquoise 175

7 Identifying Turquoise Imitations 193

8 Mapping Classic Turquoise Mines 217

Map: Turquoise Mines of the Southwest 248

Endnotes 249

Bibliography 250

Index 252

Credits 256